Feb2020LMhi

Series Part XIV

Difference ... cont’d.

Wesclin CUSD #3

Herrin CUSD #4

Enrollment: 1,370 FY18: $183,611 FY20: $329,010 Type: preK–12 FY19: $282,049 How EBF has made a difference The passage of EBF allowed Wesclin CUSD #3 to address numerous needs that directly benefit students and teachers. The district hired a second social worker to better support the social-emotional needs of students. A new high school math and K–8 reading curriculum were also purchased, both of which are aligned to Illinois’ Learning Standards. “We really noticed the past few years our writing scores were going down at the high school, so we knew we needed to add a curriculum that was current and incorporated technology,” said Superintendent Jennifer Filyaw. In addition, the district hired several paraprofessionals to better support students in special education courses. Access to technology also improved. The district purchased numerous Chromebooks, bringing the district much closer to its goal of being 1:1. Another pressing need the district had to address was school parking lots, which were littered with potholes. Lastly, the district used EBF to give teachers a raise. The salary increase helped the district attract and retain teachers by bringing the new amounts in line with surrounding districts. “The impact EBF has had on our district has been extremely positive,” Filyaw said. “We are now being so much more proactive rather than being reactive.” Continued support of EBF would... Continued support from the state would allow Wesclin CUSD #3 to update its K–8 math curriculum so the material teachers use in the classroom is aligned to Illinois Learning Standards. In addition, EBF dollars could be used to replace sociology and psychology textbooks. Lastly, the district plans to continue to explore ways to provide better social-emotional support for students.

Enrollment: 2,513 FY18: $1.2 million FY20: $793,007 Type: preK–12 FY19: $831,923 How EBF has made a difference The impact increased state funding has had on Herrin CUSD #4 has been “dramatic,” highlighted by Herrin Elementary jumping from Underperforming to Exemplary in ISBE School Designations. The district studied EBF indicators and invested the new dollars into instructional coaches, tutoring, professional development, new curriculum, summer school, technology and school resource officers. “Our school district was on life support, and we were worried about what we would have to cut next,” Superintendent Dr. Terry Ryker said. “EBF has made a dramatic overall impact on our district and has truly been a blessing.” Eight instructional coaches were named to work with classroom teachers on lesson planning and delivery, classroom management and to analyze testing data and help teachers identify students’ learning weak spots. Tutoring is now also available to students in grades K–8 and high school students have more credit-recovery options, including summer school. In addition, the district invested EBF dollars into professional development for staff. Other areas of improvement include purchasing new Chromebooks so there is at least one computer for every two students in grades K–8, as well as hiring three school resource officers. “I think it gave everyone more of a sense of safety,” Ryker said about adding three additional school resource officers. “If someone doesn’t feel safe, they’re not going to learn well.” Continued support of EBF would... Herrin CUSD #4 plans to purchase new math curricula for grades K–12 next school year with EBF dollars. The district also wants to continue to add more instructional coaches and possibly make some instructional coaches full time. Currently, six of the eight are part time. Other areas the district has identified as needs include adding additional teachers at the junior high and continued professional development for staff.

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LM February 2020